Electric Field Sensing for UAV-based MAD Noise Mitigation Navy STTR FY2015.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2015.A Topic No.: N15A-T004 Topic Title: Electric Field Sensing for UAV-based MAD Noise Mitigation Proposal No.: N15A-004-0174 Firm: White River Technologies 1242 Chestnut Street Newton, Massachusetts 02464 Contact: Gregory Schultz Phone: (603) 678-8385 Abstract: White River Technologies, Inc. and Boston University propose a systematic R&D project that first develops the requirements for an E-field sensing solution based on our physical understanding of UAV-based MAD noise and then tailors design and development activities to those requirements. New Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD)-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems that are organic to the P-8A or launched from other base platforms will provide a number of improvements over current airborne MAD systems, but also create new considerations that require modified or new/innovative approaches to effectively mitigate geomagnetic noise influences. For UAV-based MAD sensing, it may be possible to utilize an electric field sensor on the same platform as the MAD sensor in order to more efficiently mitigate geomagnetic noise. This effort brings together systematic analysis and assessments of airborne sensing and noise mitigation methods, decades of university research and development on electric field sensing, and innovative operational strategies for integrating small sensor payloads on unmanned systems to provide a new capability in support of Navy ASW and related missions. Benefits: The U.S. Navy is seeking new technologies and platforms to advance airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). The development of a robust integrated scalar electric field reference sensor on-board airborne assets could provide a lower footprint methodology for reducing noise and optimizing the Navy's investment in MAD sensing technology. The ultimate UAV-based E-field sensing reference system will be completely compatible with Tier I UAVs and interoperable with highly sensitive miniaturized scalar magnetometers without degradation in their performance. Other benefits include new sensing technology capable of microVolt per meter sensitivities in a compact form and immune to translational or rotational motions. Ultimately, we envision a modular and cost-effective unit design with potential to be used as an expendable unit. Return